chi
/kaɪ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.95 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The twenty-second letter of the Classical and Modern Greek alphabets.
noun
A life force in traditional Chinese philosophy, culture, medicine, etc, related (but not limited) to breath and circulation.
Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Early Taoist philosophers and alchemists regarded ch'i as a vital force inhering in the breath and bodily fluids and developed techniques to alter and control the movement of ch'i within the body; their aim was to achieve physical longevity and spiritual power."
- "He took several deep breaths, finding his chi as Butler had taught him."
- "At the greenmarket, it’s still mostly potatoes and apples. There are no tender greens, fava beans, peas, asparagus, artichokes, sorrel, rhubarb or early strawberries. Those harbingers of the season are said to be full of chi, or qi, the Chinese word for life force. We’re craving them as we’re craving lighter, brighter-tasting meals, food that is greener and fresher."
- "According to traditional Chinese medicine, blood carries chi, your “life force,” which fuels all the functions of the body. When you lose blood, you lose chi, and this causes your body to go into a state of yin (cold). When yin (cold) and yang (hot) are out of balance, your body will suffer physical disorders."
- "I arrived in Chi quite early in the morning, got a room in the Y, and went to bed with a very few dollars in my pocket."
- "56 Michael Jordan, CHI vs. MIA, Apr. 29, 1992."
Etymology
From Latin chī, from Ancient Greek χεῖ (kheî).
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: chī, χεῖ, -, 尺, 姞
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Medicine.